Helping Hands discussion

Please don't feel that this topic is to brag. There is no bragging here, only sharing. Here I would like us to tell each other what we are doing right now to contribute to helping others. We will not judge you, but hope to be more inspired by your actions to further our own.
Each individual occurrence is never too small. For example,
"Today I dropped a dollar into one of the Salvation Army buckets."
or it can be more like "I took my old clothes to the Big Brother, Big Sister drop off bin".
"I gathered cans of food to give to a homeless shelter"

Nothing is too small. Lets show the kindness that still exists in humanity today.

I will start. I just got back from the store. The lady behind me gave me an extra coupon to save something on my purchase. The lady in front of me had a more expensive item. I knew the coupon would serve her better than it would me so I gave it to her instead. Literally Pay it Forward!

Go to: 60minutesovertime.com
To watch video.
Show aired Nov 27 2011 : " Poverty stricken families in Florida forced to live-in cars " .
A tragic American story.

Thank you, John. That is a powerful but sad story. Unfortunately true. I'm sure there are a lot of similar stories, conditions just getting worse in today's economy. That's why we're here. Everyone in this group who at least joined has some semblance of a desire to help mankind no matter how small the gesture. I know I sure wish I could do more.

I want to take this moment to thank all 16 members of this group. I am grateful and respect your support whether silent or verbal. Together I hope we can make someone smile.

I'm bummed. I don't have any new experiences. I may have had opportunities and not been cognizant of them, this time of year can make us wrapped up in our own thoughts. I understand that intentions are good, sometimes they are hard to implement.

I heard this idea a couple of years ago and began to implement it, but then I have moved twice since then and it kind of got lost.

I got a can and wrapped it in colorful card stock paper and wrote "random acts of kindness". Every time someone does something for me, even if it's just holding the door open for me, I put some money in the can. And if I deliberately do something nice for a stranger out of the blue (random), then I put money in the can. I am looking forward to seeing how much I can save maybe for a less fortunate person to have a happy holiday next December. Just a thought.

Yes, I just posted but I thought of something else. Just this week I got a facebook message from a friend of mine struggling financially. Now, at this time, I find myself with the similar struggle, but I looked and had $5.00 in my can. Not much at all and I was almost embarrassed to share it. But I sent it to her along with some coupons for necessities. I'm still a bit embarrassed, I hope she doesn't take offense to it, but that's what the can is for and maybe next time I will have more money in it...I hope.

Again, when you share your thoughts and experiences, it is NOT bragging. I feel that I have to continue to say this because I embarrass myself by sharing these ideas. I hope my posts aren't taken the wrong way.

I would feel a little less embarrassed if someone else would add their own experiences or stories.

I don't think people will think this thread is bragging. I think you are making us think and become aware of how we deal with others and for everyone to share in their experiences. I think it doesn't take a whole lot of money to put a smile on a stranger's face. I try to do this daily and maybe brighten someone else's day. We already do give to charities when out old clothes don't fit so no need to talk about that. I think people should be more giving in whatever way they can share their time or talents.

Speaking of just putting a smile on someone's face, yesterday I went into a store. There was a girl walking in front of me to the door. I smiled at her, she didn't smile back, then she just let the door shut in my face. Now, that is something stupid and little, but it made my mood a bit...pessimistic about some people...
Even just smiling back at someone or holding the door.

"It is not the consequence that matter, but the state of beingness that matters." __ Bashar

Knowing Who you are, and your gifts to share with others
Finding and doing Joy in the little things that seems to count the most.

On Wednesday, a friend of mine passed away due to a car accident. While very sad, this experience has taught me some amazing things. The enormous outpouring of love and friendship from the entire community has been staggering.

This morning, I helped put stakes along the road leading to the church, (where the funeral was held), and his home. Orange balloons were placed on all of these stakes and large orange ribbons around the lamp posts. I also had the opportunity to sing at his funeral with some of my other friends.

While I still feel like my work was inadequate and I'm still racking my brain to find something else I can do, I'm very glad that I got the opportunity to serve his family in any way that I could.

Death is a very hard thing, but my religion has helped me cope with it, and I know that it has helped his family.

Raphael,
The Melancholy Scholar

What a great, but sad story, Raphael. I think you did a lot to show your support to his family. Everyone did it sounds like. In death, there isn't much anyone can do but stay near.

Yes, death is hard. My father passed away when I was 23 years old. And you know, the greatest thing people could do for me then as well as now, is to listen. I like talking about him, bringing up memories. I like to hear others' thoughts and memories of him. That alone brought peace. On the flip side, those people who seemed to ignore the fact that it happened actually hurt me, as if they thought it of no importance.

Thank you for sharing that.